Thursday, Feb. 1st was World Read Aloud Day. Back in November, Kate Messner posted a long list of authors willing to do free Skype visits. I selected and contacted Sarah Albee, author of Bugged, Poop Happened, and Poison, amazing and engaging nonfiction books.

Each of my students in my morning class composed a question and were promised a chance to personally ask their question.

Argh! Tech problems!

A quick call to the tech director, and he took over the computer and was able to solve the problem just in the nick of time. My students were able to ask their questions, and Sarah expertly answered each one.

Even Erin’s question, “Do you know what a narwhal is?” did not stump this nonfiction research expert. Sarah pointed Erin to a page in Poison in which she refers to the practice of using narwhal horns to simulate unicorn horns.

My students marveled in the length of time it takes to research, write, and publish a book. Dawson, who is reading Bugged, asked what her favorite insect is. Would you be surprised to know it’s an ant?!

Dawson later announced that it was the first time he had ever met anyone famous. In a more perfect world where technology was flawless, I would Skype more often with “famous” people. Authors are my heroes, and they are becoming my students’ heroes as well.

One Little Word 2019

Bayou Song

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I live on the Bayou Teche in New Iberia, Louisiana. I love teaching, poetry, my dog Charlie, my three daughters, and dancing with my husband. This space is where I capture my thoughts, share my insights, and make connections with the world. Welcome! Walk in kindness.

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